The Senate is being swamped by calls about Betsy DeVos
Betsy DeVos seems to have hit a nerve. President Trump's education secretary nominee is one Republican vote away from being rejected for the job. The Senate successfully started the clock early Friday for an up-or-down vote late Monday or Tuesday, but already Vice President Mike Pence will have to show up to try to break what's currently a 50-50 tie, the first time a vice president has had to vote on a Cabinet nominee. The defection of Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) has sidelined the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), who would have to leave the Senate if approved as attorney general, leaving Republicans one vote shy.
The calls have been pouring in to the Senate switchboard about DeVos, according to Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) — though he doesn't say if they are for or against the nomination:
A spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said an average of 1.5 million calls have swamped the Senate each day this week, and Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) said he's gotten 80,000 letters about DeVos from constituents. One of the Republicans that anti-DeVos activists are targeting, Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.), said he's "experiencing heavy call volumes in all our offices," and urged constituents to keep calling. He and Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) have both indicated they will vote for DeVos.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
DeVos, a billionaire Republican donor who favors taxpayer-funded vouchers for private school and for-profit charters schools, did not have a great confirmation hearing. She faces opposition from public school teachers and their unions but also some big proponents of nonprofit charter schools, and there has been an unexpected groundswell of grassroots opposition. This is odd, The New York Times notes, because the only Trump Cabinet nominee at risk of rejection would fill "one of the least powerful" positions, 16th in line for the presidency and overseeing only about 3 percent of the federal budget.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published